The Bulgarian Parliament has approved the temporary deployment of up to eight US refuelling aircraft and 250 military personnel at one of its air bases.
The proposal, tabled at the request of the Bulgarian Prime Minister, was approved on 22 July by 136 votes in favour, 13 against, with two MPs abstaining.
The US aircraft and military personnel will be stationed at the Bessemer base from 24 July to 1 October.
On 21 July, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Bakai, warned Bulgaria against the US using its bases, stating that any participation or cooperation in the preparation and execution of American attacks “would be tantamount to complicity in the commission of the crime of aggression and war crimes”.
Bulgarian officials stated that the aircraft would be used for refuelling missions and that no offensive weapons would be stationed at the base.